Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/345

AGRICULTURAL LIFE 333 the kettle and baths.' The cheese-maker and kitchen- maid must then ' make a lye, warm the rooms, and wash the benches, stools, and floors clean.' The house- waiter ' shall sweep and clean the rooms and heat them, he shall wash the hand basins and jars.' This report of Engelman's gives us an insight not only into the domestic economy of the period, but also into the Christian discipline which regulated the manners. At the Erfurt manor-house authority was strictly main- tained, but kindness and amiability pervaded the whole household. The chief steward was advised to avoid everything which could lead to strife with neighbours ; he was to keep on friendly terms with the mayor of Erfurt. Every individual belonging to the estates, each citizen of the town, and any others who might apply to him, were to be kindly received by him, and given what- ever advice and assistance they required. All the olden- time usages for the help of the poor were put in practice. For instance, although those who put the wine in the cellar were, by the conditions of their leases, bound to do it gratuitously, they nevertheless received annually from 60 to 120 pennies as wages. The cooper, too, was paid, although he owed his services to the estate. If anyone, through ignorance, failed to pay the tax, half or all the penalty was remitted. The manor tenants could sell some fields to outsiders, but on condition that the buyer should give five shillings additional towards the peasants' fund. If the purchaser refused this five- shilling tax his crops could be levied on, and if he did not heed this warning they were seized. But persuasion was first tried, because ' levying and seizing cause much annoyance, and are apt to lead to strife.' A fine of five shillings was imposed on every proprietor who